Company reviews
Equipment reviews
Individual panel prices
Prices of DIY kits
Installed system prices
Our expert and consumer reviews of the leading brands of residential solar panels show the best solar panels to suit your home in 2023
4.79 930 Reviews
Judith goldsmith ,
over 1 month
Eliza Garcia was my representative and I really enjoyed how she explained everything to me , she has been very patient through this process and is very responsive , loved my solar install will be referring friends and family
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$15,693 ($3.14 per watt)
Judith goldsmith , over 1 month
Eliza Garcia was my representative and I really enjoyed how she explained everything to me , she has been very patient through this process and is very responsive , loved my solar install will be referring friends and family
4.83 325 Reviews
MTED,
over 1 month
I chose Panasonic solar panels because they have a partnership with Tesla and Panasonic has a good reputation.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$15,903 ($3.18 per watt)
MTED, over 1 month
I chose Panasonic solar panels because they have a partnership with Tesla and Panasonic has a good reputation.
4.56 1,268 Reviews
Rosie,
over 1 month
After 3 years my solar panels stopped working. I called SunPower for service since my solar panels are still under warranty for 20 years. They scheduled a technician to come so I was absent at work waiting for the technician that didn't even call to cancel neither showed up. This happened to me twice. Meantime, for 5 months I continued to pay the monthly bill to Mosaic the financing company. John Cerda, Sunpower Rep. promised that the company will pay back the non-service difference. However, up to this date Sunpower have not serviced my solar panels and they stopped answering my phone calls and emails. This is breach of service warranty. Mosaic destroyed my good credit by reporting to the 3 credit bureaus that I defaulted my payments. I do not recommend Sunpower for your solar panels.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$16,534 ($3.31 per watt)
Rosie, over 1 month
After 3 years my solar panels stopped working. I called SunPower for service since my solar panels are still under warranty for 20 years. They scheduled a technician to come so I was absent at work waiting for the technician that didn't even call to cancel neither showed up. This happened to me twice. Meantime, for 5 months I continued to pay the monthly bill to Mosaic the financing company. John Cerda, Sunpower Rep. promised that the company will pay back the non-service difference. However, up to this date Sunpower have not serviced my solar panels and they stopped answering my phone calls and emails. This is breach of service warranty. Mosaic destroyed my good credit by reporting to the 3 credit bureaus that I defaulted my payments. I do not recommend Sunpower for your solar panels.
4.53 111 Reviews
Terry,
over 1 month
Just installed 34 535 watt panels. Seeing over 100kwh on most days. Pushing the inverter to its limit
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
Terry, over 1 month
Just installed 34 535 watt panels. Seeing over 100kwh on most days. Pushing the inverter to its limit
4.06 34 Reviews
Jennings,
over 1 month
What was recommended for my site.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$12,484 ($2.50 per watt)
Jennings, over 1 month
What was recommended for my site.
4.59 166 Reviews
James Iwansy,
over 1 month
One our panels stopped producing after 4 years and we turned in a claim to Canadian Solar. They came back and told us they would give us $76 instead of a replacement panel. In the fine print, they state they can do that instead of a replacement panel. They still brag about their great warranty coverage. Don’t believe it! Go with a better company that will back up their warranty!
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$12,989 ($2.60 per watt)
James Iwansy, over 1 month
One our panels stopped producing after 4 years and we turned in a claim to Canadian Solar. They came back and told us they would give us $76 instead of a replacement panel. In the fine print, they state they can do that instead of a replacement panel. They still brag about their great warranty coverage. Don’t believe it! Go with a better company that will back up their warranty!
3.76 4 Reviews
Victoria,
over 1 month
Recommended by installer
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
Victoria, over 1 month
Recommended by installer
4.81 536 Reviews
CLos,
over 1 month
It was recommended by Tesla Energy during my initial estimate quote.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$13,143 ($2.63 per watt)
CLos, over 1 month
It was recommended by Tesla Energy during my initial estimate quote.
4.36 76 Reviews
mwright,
over 1 month
These panels look real, real nice.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
mwright, over 1 month
These panels look real, real nice.
4.06 4 Reviews
Sveenfarm,
over 1 month
They were the recommended panels at the time
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
Sveenfarm, over 1 month
They were the recommended panels at the time
4.56 94 Reviews
Wayne,
over 1 month
Seems to be a good company to work with so far
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
Wayne, over 1 month
Seems to be a good company to work with so far
4.72 28 Reviews
Roger B,
over 1 month
They came with the package
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Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
Roger B, over 1 month
They came with the package
4.62 27 Reviews
Troy,
over 1 month
During our installation window which happened to be a high demand period as incentives were set to reduce this panel was what was available within our generation goals. It seems sleek, fits our roof and style well with the dark black/navy blue appearance and has been making clean energy as expected.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
Troy, over 1 month
During our installation window which happened to be a high demand period as incentives were set to reduce this panel was what was available within our generation goals. It seems sleek, fits our roof and style well with the dark black/navy blue appearance and has been making clean energy as expected.
4.73 90 Reviews
Greg,
over 1 month
I installed 33 AXIPREMIUM X HC 400 watt panels after doing much research on quality, performance, warranty, and price and the Axitec panels stood out. Also, the German engineering was a factor. I've had them for almost a year and they have performed better than expected with ZERO issues-which is what you want. The customer service at Axitec is great too---I had questions and they were more than willing to help. If I buy more panels, they will be Axitec.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
Greg, over 1 month
I installed 33 AXIPREMIUM X HC 400 watt panels after doing much research on quality, performance, warranty, and price and the Axitec panels stood out. Also, the German engineering was a factor. I've had them for almost a year and they have performed better than expected with ZERO issues-which is what you want. The customer service at Axitec is great too---I had questions and they were more than willing to help. If I buy more panels, they will be Axitec.
3.75 1 Reviews
Rob Sall,
over 1 month
The Talesun Panels came recommended through Headline who did our install. These are a high wattage panel and offered the most bang for the buck!
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
Rob Sall, over 1 month
The Talesun Panels came recommended through Headline who did our install. These are a high wattage panel and offered the most bang for the buck!
4.01 8 Reviews
Anonymous,
over 1 month
One panel went bad so far...installer blamed it on ice. I have no way of knowing if that is true.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
Anonymous, over 1 month
One panel went bad so far...installer blamed it on ice. I have no way of knowing if that is true.
4.13 11 Reviews
markhayes,
over 1 month
Loved that we were finally able to get solar and that the programs were in place to assist us. The team at Altever did a really good job.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
markhayes, over 1 month
Loved that we were finally able to get solar and that the programs were in place to assist us. The team at Altever did a really good job.
4.69 226 Reviews
Mission panels rock,
over 1 month
In operation in N. Ft. Worth, TX almost 2-yr. Operational data exceeded design expectations by a wide margin. The system (panels, inverters & the physical plant) has been stable & reliable with only one inverter replacement early on (an infantile failure). On the financial side; the monthly note came in 20% lower than utility averaging. So the money worked out too.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
Mission panels rock, over 1 month
In operation in N. Ft. Worth, TX almost 2-yr. Operational data exceeded design expectations by a wide margin. The system (panels, inverters & the physical plant) has been stable & reliable with only one inverter replacement early on (an infantile failure). On the financial side; the monthly note came in 20% lower than utility averaging. So the money worked out too.
A recurring point we make on SolarReviews is that solar panels last a long, long time; 25-30 years to be exact. This makes it important to buy solar panels with the following qualities:
They are the least likely to fail.
This third point is very important in practical terms, and a good reason why it is not always wise to buy solar from the cheapest company.
4.01 8 Reviews
Anonymous,
over 1 month
One panel went bad so far...installer blamed it on ice. I have no way of knowing if that is true.
Read more
Average panel efficiency
24.69%
Anonymous, over 1 month
One panel went bad so far...installer blamed it on ice. I have no way of knowing if that is true.
4.56 1,268 Reviews
Rosie,
over 1 month
After 3 years my solar panels stopped working. I called SunPower for service since my solar panels are still under warranty for 20 years. They scheduled a technician to come so I was absent at work waiting for the technician that didn't even call to cancel neither showed up. This happened to me twice. Meantime, for 5 months I continued to pay the monthly bill to Mosaic the financing company. John Cerda, Sunpower Rep. promised that the company will pay back the non-service difference. However, up to this date Sunpower have not serviced my solar panels and they stopped answering my phone calls and emails. This is breach of service warranty. Mosaic destroyed my good credit by reporting to the 3 credit bureaus that I defaulted my payments. I do not recommend Sunpower for your solar panels.
Read more
Average panel efficiency
21.46%
Rosie, over 1 month
After 3 years my solar panels stopped working. I called SunPower for service since my solar panels are still under warranty for 20 years. They scheduled a technician to come so I was absent at work waiting for the technician that didn't even call to cancel neither showed up. This happened to me twice. Meantime, for 5 months I continued to pay the monthly bill to Mosaic the financing company. John Cerda, Sunpower Rep. promised that the company will pay back the non-service difference. However, up to this date Sunpower have not serviced my solar panels and they stopped answering my phone calls and emails. This is breach of service warranty. Mosaic destroyed my good credit by reporting to the 3 credit bureaus that I defaulted my payments. I do not recommend Sunpower for your solar panels.
4.83 325 Reviews
MTED,
over 1 month
I chose Panasonic solar panels because they have a partnership with Tesla and Panasonic has a good reputation.
Read more
Average panel efficiency
20.88%
MTED, over 1 month
I chose Panasonic solar panels because they have a partnership with Tesla and Panasonic has a good reputation.
4.59 166 Reviews
James Iwansy,
over 1 month
One our panels stopped producing after 4 years and we turned in a claim to Canadian Solar. They came back and told us they would give us $76 instead of a replacement panel. In the fine print, they state they can do that instead of a replacement panel. They still brag about their great warranty coverage. Don’t believe it! Go with a better company that will back up their warranty!
Read more
Average panel efficiency
20.48%
James Iwansy, over 1 month
One our panels stopped producing after 4 years and we turned in a claim to Canadian Solar. They came back and told us they would give us $76 instead of a replacement panel. In the fine print, they state they can do that instead of a replacement panel. They still brag about their great warranty coverage. Don’t believe it! Go with a better company that will back up their warranty!
4.79 930 Reviews
Judith goldsmith ,
over 1 month
Eliza Garcia was my representative and I really enjoyed how she explained everything to me , she has been very patient through this process and is very responsive , loved my solar install will be referring friends and family
Read more
Average panel efficiency
20.31%
Judith goldsmith , over 1 month
Eliza Garcia was my representative and I really enjoyed how she explained everything to me , she has been very patient through this process and is very responsive , loved my solar install will be referring friends and family
4.53 111 Reviews
Terry,
over 1 month
Just installed 34 535 watt panels. Seeing over 100kwh on most days. Pushing the inverter to its limit
Read more
Average panel efficiency
19.99%
Terry, over 1 month
Just installed 34 535 watt panels. Seeing over 100kwh on most days. Pushing the inverter to its limit
4.06 34 Reviews
Jennings,
over 1 month
What was recommended for my site.
Read more
Average panel efficiency
19.72%
Jennings, over 1 month
What was recommended for my site.
4.62 27 Reviews
Troy,
over 1 month
During our installation window which happened to be a high demand period as incentives were set to reduce this panel was what was available within our generation goals. It seems sleek, fits our roof and style well with the dark black/navy blue appearance and has been making clean energy as expected.
Read more
Average panel efficiency
19.59%
Troy, over 1 month
During our installation window which happened to be a high demand period as incentives were set to reduce this panel was what was available within our generation goals. It seems sleek, fits our roof and style well with the dark black/navy blue appearance and has been making clean energy as expected.
3.75 1 Reviews
Rob Sall,
over 1 month
The Talesun Panels came recommended through Headline who did our install. These are a high wattage panel and offered the most bang for the buck!
Read more
Average panel efficiency
19.52%
Rob Sall, over 1 month
The Talesun Panels came recommended through Headline who did our install. These are a high wattage panel and offered the most bang for the buck!
4.06 34 Reviews
Jennings,
over 1 month
What was recommended for my site.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$12,484 ($2.50 per watt)
Jennings, over 1 month
What was recommended for my site.
4.59 166 Reviews
James Iwansy,
over 1 month
One our panels stopped producing after 4 years and we turned in a claim to Canadian Solar. They came back and told us they would give us $76 instead of a replacement panel. In the fine print, they state they can do that instead of a replacement panel. They still brag about their great warranty coverage. Don’t believe it! Go with a better company that will back up their warranty!
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$12,989 ($2.60 per watt)
James Iwansy, over 1 month
One our panels stopped producing after 4 years and we turned in a claim to Canadian Solar. They came back and told us they would give us $76 instead of a replacement panel. In the fine print, they state they can do that instead of a replacement panel. They still brag about their great warranty coverage. Don’t believe it! Go with a better company that will back up their warranty!
3.76 4 Reviews
Victoria,
over 1 month
Recommended by installer
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
Victoria, over 1 month
Recommended by installer
4.36 76 Reviews
mwright,
over 1 month
These panels look real, real nice.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
mwright, over 1 month
These panels look real, real nice.
4.62 27 Reviews
Troy,
over 1 month
During our installation window which happened to be a high demand period as incentives were set to reduce this panel was what was available within our generation goals. It seems sleek, fits our roof and style well with the dark black/navy blue appearance and has been making clean energy as expected.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
Troy, over 1 month
During our installation window which happened to be a high demand period as incentives were set to reduce this panel was what was available within our generation goals. It seems sleek, fits our roof and style well with the dark black/navy blue appearance and has been making clean energy as expected.
4.01 8 Reviews
Anonymous,
over 1 month
One panel went bad so far...installer blamed it on ice. I have no way of knowing if that is true.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
Anonymous, over 1 month
One panel went bad so far...installer blamed it on ice. I have no way of knowing if that is true.
4.06 4 Reviews
Sveenfarm,
over 1 month
They were the recommended panels at the time
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
Sveenfarm, over 1 month
They were the recommended panels at the time
4.13 11 Reviews
markhayes,
over 1 month
Loved that we were finally able to get solar and that the programs were in place to assist us. The team at Altever did a really good job.
Read more
Average cost (5kW system)
$14,012 ($2.80 per watt)
markhayes, over 1 month
Loved that we were finally able to get solar and that the programs were in place to assist us. The team at Altever did a really good job.
The concept of an elite list of Tier 1 solar panel manufacturers was first used by Bloomberg New Energy in a report on the "bankability" of different solar panel brands.
They chose brands that had been financed on a non-recourse basis by several banks, over several different projects greater than 1.5 megawatts in size.
While Bloombeg’s definition of Tier 1 is somewhat useful, in our view it’s insufficient as a guide for consumers. It only judges the solar panels based on past performance, and doesn’t attempt to predict the future reliability of each manufacturer.
Given that solar panels last 25-30 years, we think much more weight should be given to the future prospects of the brand, as well as the manufacturer’s future economic viability.
The editorial committee of solar industry experts here at SolarReviews came up with our own definition of a Tier 1 solar panel brand.
We used six criteria, and we encourage you to use them when evaluating any solar panel brand. Here they are:
Many second- and third-tier solar panel manufacturers that are based overseas — usually in China — do not honour their warranties.
They sign up a few dealers in America over the internet by offering cheap panels, but if there are any warranty issues they pin the blame on an "installation error" or a "cosmetic defect" that isn’t covered by warranty. As these companies invest little to nothing in their brand in the US, they have nothing to lose. Often they will simply start selling panels under a different brand.
Among these companies are also those that buy B-grade cells and wafers, and build panels out of them for cheap sale. Many of these smaller overseas companies also outsource large parts of their production to the cheapest contractor in China, and so it is impossible to get a gauge on real manufacturing quality.
There are now very few US solar panel manufacturers.
Leading US manufacturers SolarWorld, Suniva and Silicon Energy have all gone broke, while market leader SunPower has moved most of its panel manufacturing to Malaysia, the Philippines and Mexico. Tesla has also closed their planned solar panel manufacturing plant in Buffalo, New York.
Ironically, the only well-known solar company with large-scale manufacturing in the USA is the Chinese solar giant Jinko Solar, who have a factory in Jacksonville, Florida.
We do know of two smaller brands that still make their panels in America: Mission Solar in Texas, and Washington-based Itek Energy (now owned by Canadian company Silfab). However, they are small manufacturers and we are unsure of their current production arrangements or volumes.
Although the Trump administration attempted to boost US manufacturing of solar panels by imposing tariffs on Chinese modules in 2018-2019, American-made panels have unfortunately been unable to compete with the low cost and high quality of Chinese and other imports.
It can be useful to sort manufacturers into groups that share common traits:
This is a group of mainly Chinese solar panel manufacturers that are dominating the global solar panel market. They have not had the same success in the residential US solar market, although they are steadily growing their market share.
This category includes manufacturers like LONGi Solar, Canadian Solar (actually a Chinese company), Trina Solar, Jinko Solar, GCL Group, Risen Energy.
Their best panels are currently 1-2% less efficient than SunPower, but this looks set to change. Both Trina and LONGi have announced cell technology improvements for Fall 2020 that offer equivalent efficiency to the premium manufacturers, but at a lower price point.
While we have concerns about the lack of financial transparency from some of these Chinese companies, their lower price point, improving technology and massive manufacturing scale may make them as reliable as the premium brands.
SolarReviews takeaway:
You are very unlikely to have any problems with the solar panels from either the premium brands or these Tier 1 Chinese manufacturers. The decision is
probably whether you want to support a Chinese company to save money on your solar system. We can see many good moral
arguments why one may not wish to do this.
There are many other smaller brands of Chinese solar panels — we recommend that you avoid them.
The reason is that the high quality Tier 1 Chinese brands above are already quite low cost, come with some transparency, and place some value in their brand. As such, they offer good value to homeowners.
With the smaller Chinese brands, by contrast, there is no transparency. We’ve seen several of these companies simply shut their presence in a country when faced with warranty claims.
SolarReviews takeaway:
Buying from these manufacturers means lower chances of getting quality panels or seeing
your warranty claims honored. The small upfront savings you can get from these panels simply isn’t worth it.